By David J. Kent
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Harold Holzer is perhaps the best-known expert and most prolific writer about Abraham Lincoln. He's also an expert on Daniel Chester French. He'll bring that dual expertise to trace the art and architecture of the Lincoln Memorial to our Centennial event on Sunday, May 22nd.
Holzer is well known to the Lincoln Group of DC, not to mention every other Lincoln-related organization around the world. He is the 2015 winner of the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize for his book, Lincoln and the Power of the Press: The War for Public Opinion (Simon & Schuster). The Lincoln Prize is the most prestigious award given to writings on Abraham Lincoln. He is the author, co-author, or editor of over 50 books on Abraham Lincoln, plus more than 600 articles and chapters in another 60 books. To say he is the leading Lincoln scholar is an understatement.
One of the Holzer's more recent books is Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French, who, among other iconic works like the Minute Man statue in Massachusetts, designed the magnificent, seated Lincoln that dominates the interior of the Lincoln Memorial.
In addition to his writing, Harold Holzer is the current chairman of the Lincoln Forum, past chair of the Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation, and a prolific speaker. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2008 by President George W. Bush, as well as so many other awards that it’s impossible to even begin to list them (check out his website for a selected list). For many years, Holzer was a senior executive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
All of this positions him as the perfect person to delve into the art and architecture of the Lincoln Memorial. He will examine the tortured history that delayed building of a memorial to Lincoln for 57 years after his assassination, as well as the varying designs reviewed before settling on what is now an iconic and inspiring Memorial. Holzer will also give us insight into the design and sculpting of the famous statue - including the importance of the Piccirilli brothers!
Join us this Sunday, May 22, 2022, beginning at 10 am. This is an event not to be missed. Check out other posts under the News tab on this website for more information, including how to plan your Lincoln Memorial Centennial Day (hint, take Metro).
And be sure to check out the Events tab for related programs the Lincoln Group has arranged to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial.